001This is NHTV2 North Haven Government Television, a service of North Haven Community Television. The following program is brought to you through the support of the town of North Haven. >> Hello everyone. I'd like to welcome you to the monthly board of education meeting for Wednesday, April 16th. Uh meeting comes in session at 6:30 p.m. May I have a motion to approve the March 2nd, 2026 Board of Education special meeting minutes. >> Make a motion. >> Second. >> Can I get a second? Thank you. Any discussion? All in favor? >> So move. May I have a motion to approve the March 12th, 2026 Board of Education regular meeting minutes? >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> So move. >> Ava, just you today? >> Yes. >> Okay. Our
002student representative, Ava Baron, how are you? >> Great. How are you? >> Very good. You have that that blower going today, so you're going to have to face it up today. [laughter] >> All right. So this week the third marking period concluded and the fourth marking period began. SATs were also administered successfully and preliminary score reports are positive. AP registration is underway and we may have a new high number of students taking AP exams as a part of an ongoing upward trend. Two North Haven High School students were recognized as SEC scholar leaders in a dinner ceremony held at Anony's Ocean View. Congratulations to Valerie Adams and Gavin Naft. Additionally, two North Haven High School students were recognized by the South Central Area Superintendent Association for overall community service and involvement. Congratulations to Lyanna Louu
003and Jack Segna. The winter sports scene at North Haven High School was highlighted by several successful seasons, namely the boys basketball team finishing their regular season with 19 wins and one loss. Additionally, getting to the CIA Division 3 semi-finals in the fencing team's men foil squad, winning their conference title. >> Great. >> That's awesome. >> Thank you very much, Eva. I appreciate it. Does anybody have any questions for Ava? >> Come on, let's load up on some questions. [laughter] >> Oh, okay. >> Can I actually just make a quick statement question? You certainly can. >> So, a few weeks ago, North Haven High School hosted the FPS. um state competition and our student rep uh I know he's not here tonight but Ragav was uh won and he was state one of the state champions
004from North High School. So just thought I'd mention that. >> That's fantastic. Very good. [applause] No pressure next year. [laughter] Okay, we're going to move on with the uh public comment. Uh this session is reserved for non-aggenda items. Going to have five minutes per topic. Anybody have anything they like to bring to the table? >> Hello Venudi Basset Road. Um I I get bombarded with questions after I come to these meetings. Okay. >> And then I'm up half the night trying to figure out answers. One of them is the health insurance. I thought I heard that you were self insured, but then I also heard that you use Anthem. So, I had a hard time trying to figure that out because they wanted me to explain the big number. I'm a nobody, but I wanted
005to get the numbers from you guys. So, how does that really work? >> So, they are they are part of our [snorts] providers, but as opposed to a set fund, they project what our claims. So, Anthem basically we are in charge of the funding for all of those pieces. So, what happens each year is they project based upon their actuaries over a 13-month backlook what they're projecting for our medical, dental, and pharmaceutical claims and say, "You should plan for x amount of dollars." What then happens is we put place that into the budget and monthly that goes into what's called the medical and dental reserve account, our self-funded account on the town side of the books. And then as those charges come through from Anthem, they pull those out. And so we have over a
006longer period of time, it does fiscally make much more sense for us to be in control of that mechanism and allows us to monitor how that is impacting our overall reserve. And so when we say this is what we're projecting, >> you know, obviously this year is a good example. Those costs go up, but over time it's a cost-saving mechanism that we benefit from as opposed to a fixed insurance cost over an annual rate. I like your answer because that's pretty much what I told the person, but I I just, you know, I give an answer and then it's like I need verification. >> Sure. >> Uh because I don't want to be giving out false information. >> Uh the other thing, >> it's going to be touchy. I know. PreK. When did North Haven
007start having preK in their elementary schools? >> I don't even >> I saw 2000 was was one of them. >> It's been a while. I saw two I think 2000 and was for the full-time kindergarten and 2021 was for the prek. >> I don't know. I try to look it back and I don't have your facts. I get what Google wants to give me which doesn't really throw me. >> No, I wouldn't. Yeah, I wouldn't >> I don't like them. Right. But okay. Now, do the people who have their children in prek, do they pay for that? >> I can answer that question for you. Yes. So, some students who access the preK program have an IEP because they have special education services that they receive. And then there's also students that we call neighborhood
008peers, which are their peers in the classroom. And the families do pay a fee monthly for the services for three-year-old and foury olds. >> Okay. All right. No, I was just curious if the board of ed picked that up and then we're paying for other people's children to go to prek where I had to self-pay. >> That's that was one of the other ones. And the last one was on the scores. You guys got numbers all over the place. Um it's the caps and the elementary schools were always 81% to 86%. But the middle school drops down to in the 70% and there's no score for high school. So, I don't know if they even get the testing or where they're rated, uh, how that would go. Um, but it seems like it's going the
009reverse of what it should be. You know, I thought that we get better and that's what the whole idea of a better education was. It because I don't know why people are moving to North Haven for schools because I didn't. I did for taxes and seems like we're making the schools more attractive to them to bring them in here, but I've heard many take them through the elementary school and pull them out and put them in some other school, you know, and it goes the reverse, but mostly goes that way. So, I was just curious. >> I could answer a little bit of that for you. I don't have the numbers right in front of me this evening, but we are really tracking the students as they progress through the grade levels. So, like a
010cohort as they go from third grade to fourth grade to fifth grade to sixth grade. And we're starting to see a a more positive tracking as they're moving through their middle school. They only take the SBA assessment in grades three through eight. And then when you get to the high school, the statemandated assessments don't come into play until 11th grade. And they take the SAT at that point. And they also take um the 11th grade version of the NGSS, which is the next generation science assessment. So we don't have four years of um assessments in that same way. We do administer the PSAT um as a predictor and to help us to fill gaps if necessary, provide additional um courses and set direction now. >> Okay. Any idea where they are in that? I don't
011know. >> Um so I actually the last thing on my report but I can I can do it right now. Um, so I was going to say lastly, congratulations to our North Haven High School juniors. Like Ava had referenced. Um, we just literally got these um within the last two days um for their strong SAT scores in this spring's Connecticut um school day SAT. That's what they call it. Um the students achieved an average math score of 514 and reading and writing score of 524 >> out of um uh an overall score of 1037. This score represents a 19 point gain over last year and a 20 point gain over our prior recent average. >> I know those two numbers don't equal the 1037. I just want to point that out to the audience because
012they use a rounding system at college board and the state department. We don't have all of the details yet. We just kind of have raw data at this point. So, more will be forthcoming and then that ties into our performance um reports on each school. So, we anticipate to see um an increase in that performance report as well because of this nice uptick. So it's like a 1050 or 1070 out of 1600. >> 1200. >> Oh, it's 12200. Okay. No, I know. It's like I know they changed the scoring after my kid did this thing. So he's old. >> So I'll just finish my If you don't mind, I'll just finish my last part. I wanted to give a a thank you and shout out >> um to all the students for their really hard
013work on that and for our teachers for their amazing work in preparing our students. So once we get more information, we will share that out. But as I said, we just got that. >> Okay. Yeah, cuz the only other thing I did find was uh >> the mass >> I'm sorry. That's also the highest in the last six years. >> Okay. That we've had. >> Oh, all right. Okay. Cuz it um you know, I told you where I I ask a question and whoever wants to answer me does it. >> You can ask any question. >> No, no, I know. I mean Google answers, but I keep traveling down trying to find a real person, but Okay. No, because it said that the math scores are higher than 67% of the 16 >> rating and
014the math the reading scores are higher than 54%. >> And it is 1600. I'm sorry. >> I apologize. >> They're broken in different bands. Um I'll get all the information and we'll report it out next month because I don't want to just talk off the top of my head without all the numbers, okay, before me. Um but it's a really nice growth for us and we'll know what the state average is and our other DUR information soon. So we'll be able to know how we're performing against our peers, right? And the only other point to just say about that is it's ne like when we look at um ESPback over grades three through eight, we're following the same they're different cohorts, but we follow a particular cohort all along, right? So that same group of
015children to see if they're holding their performance, growing in their performance, or for some reasons going the other way. In 11th grade, we don't have any comparable measure except for our own um PSAT test because you're not last year's 11th graders are now 12th graders. You're never comparing the same group of children on that measure. Right. >> So that makes it just very different. >> Right. And the last time they were tested was in eighth grade. >> Exactly. On a different assessment. >> Right. Okay. All right. I'm sure I'll have more questions after I go to try to go to sleep tonight, but thank you for answering. appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Hi, Brendan. Lety solitary. Um, I had a couple questions about capital as it relates to the budget moving forward. Uh, we
016heard several times through this budget cycle from Mr. Sturk the other night, Mr. Bath earlier in the month how this budget doesn't represent any capital and you made the example that if a boiler were to go down then the board would have to fund that. What is the plan for capital moving forward? We heard a presentation about four new schools. I think the appetite for that right now is low. So and and it would be years out anyways. So what is the plan for capital? Is the town ready to entertain any capital? Some of these projects that at least you have as placeholders are reimburseable projects through the state. Roof replacements, HVAC, life safety. You had 1.2 million for a lot of the elementary schools. On 1.2 million, North Haven's reimbursement rate is 38%. We'd
017get back 456,000 if indeed that number is is accurate on the 1.2 million. So, can you just speak a little bit more about what the capital plan is or what the town has told you? Well, the town the town the town hasn't really told us told us anything as far as capital and and they and they won't because we just deal in a uh a bulk number right with with the town. I mean, they they go through and they decipher how we told them we were going to try to spend that money to justify what we're asking for. It's just like they say, you know, we we don't lay off teachers. We only approve a certain amount of money and then we decide how it goes. So, it's the same with those issues. If something
018breaks, we have to find a way to fix it. Not that we necessarily have money put aside for that particular issue if it comes to to fruition. We just we have to take from somewhere else and and put it in there. >> Right. I understand that. Is there any longer term capital planning for any of these? >> Every every year we try to add capital to the budget >> and it's just >> that's the first >> it's a function of, you know, it's a function of total number with the town and with the with the people of the town with us. You know, it's we started out at a much higher budget request for a reason and it just didn't quite work. I mean, we're thankful that it is where it is, you know, that
019we can work with what they finally came up with last night in hopes that that passes that referendum and then we can continue to provide a a good educational process for everybody. Um, so when next year rolls around, we're going to talk about it. We're going to look at what our needs are again. And I and I understand that, you know, the the appetite for new buildings is low. I mean, and I get why. I've been here 56 years. I I get it. I'm a homeowner here for 39 years. I I get it. All I all we can do as a board is address the town and address the people of the town telling them what we think we need to move forward and then it's up to the town to decide especially on something
020as large a scope as the schools >> right but some of these some of these things some of these capital projects they're in a state of catastrophic failure some of these roofs some of the HVAC HVAC system agree with that >> right I and I'm not >> but at what point right Does it does it become where a school is uninhabitable for a certain period of time because you had a boiler go down or because there you know some other type of issue? Uh, it just seems like some of these capital there needs to be a a at least some type of long-term master facilities plan or some some con some type of conversation, continuing conversation with the town, at least at the elementary schools, not only for restoration uh or improve as new, but
021even preventative maintenance, any preventive maintenance plans for the new high school, for the new middle school. Uh, and it just doesn't seem like any of that is there. It's like, well, let's let it fail and then we'll figure it out. >> And I'm not saying that's >> I know that's an over I get it. That's an overstatement, but there are maintenance plans in effect. >> There are maintenance plans that are mandated by the state that you have to do, right? >> Whether it's air quality, um the fire marshall has to come in, look at elevators, fire signatures, the rooms, all that stuff. you know, we have uh grounds people who are constantly checking and making list of, hey, the tennis court may need this or that or you know, this part of the building needs
022attention. Um, and we always figure out a way to get that done and we have conversations um in particular Mr. Strickland, Mr. Sturk andor myself at times with uh Rich Monaco and the selectman every month and we talk about the the state of the state basically. and they're they're well aware and you know they have their own issues like that. I mean they do they have a capital fund? Yes. Do they have some money? Yes. Really if a couple of things broke down they'd be in the same boat that that we're in. >> Sure. >> So we're just >> we would in the worst case scenario work together to get that situation resolved and move forward. You're never going to see a time I I can't see where we have an issue where we have
023to close the school down for x amount of time to >> right >> raise money to fix a problem. >> But there are opportunities especially when you know budgets are tight and there are opportunities through the state to get some reimbursement to to start to chip away at some of these things. We're always trying to get we're always looking for either a grant or some sort of cooperation from the state through our state rep. Um, you know, Dave Akarino and Paul Cherella. Dave does a great job. He's out there, you know, he's rattling the bushes all the time trying to get us more money. >> Um, but you could you can file for you can file for a roof replacement. You don't you don't need Yakarino or Cherelli. >> I can. But but if the
024roof replacement comes in in a million two and I can find a half a million, I'm still 700 short, >> right? But you're going to get reimbursed on a million dollars. You're going to get reimbursed 38%. So So >> Okay. So, so then I'd be 400,000 short, >> right? And I got closer though is my point, right? >> Close. Yes. But close only gets you so far. still need to find that last step to go. I'm telling you, if it was a situation where that roof had to come off, it would come off and we would figure out a way to do it. Whether we did it by ourselves or in conjunction with the town or the town took it, whatever happened, it would be >> is that there are opportunity conversations >> through through
025people who are companies that are on state contract. I'm I'm also curious on the the capital. One of the listed things I know there was an issue with this uh earlier in the fall heading into the winter into basketball season was the gym floor at the high school. >> Mhm. >> And there was some repairs done and there needs apparently needs to be more and a placeholders in there for $650,000 for the gym floor. >> Yeah. >> Why Why is that number so high? That seems to be >> That floor needs to be replaced in whole. >> Replaced in whole. All the wood. everything. >> So, we're not talking about a strip, sand, paint, poly, >> complete replacement. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> Anybody else? >> Okay, seeing I'm going to
026move on. Nobody else. Okay. Um, moving on to the consent agenda. The resignation of Lwanda Walker, PAR educator at North Haven High School. the resignation of Cody Midolo, secret uh security guard at North Haven High School. >> May I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Make a motion. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> So move. >> Um okay. So now we have to come in. We're we're going to come into the part where I have to read off the names. Uh, >> do you want me to start? >> No, I I can do it. I just It's the name of the non-tenure teachers that are uh subject to layoff due to budget constraints. So, I I just want to say a couple words about the budget before I
027before I read this off and a couple words about these teachers before I read this off. The budget process as everybody knows uh everybody's well aware was you know contentious at times. It was very difficult. It was difficult on both sides. The town has you know an expectation that they need to deliver to to the town's people. We have an expectation that we're trying to deliver to the town's people and the students. They do not always mesh. The intent to provide the best educational system. we both agree on how we get there. Sometimes is is debated. Sometimes it's debated uh in a very passionate manner [clears throat] and and sometimes it's not. Um some may say that uh I'm too passionate at times, but it depends on who you ask. So I'm I'm going to
028I'm just going to leave it at that. Um I've had many difficult conversations uh along with other members of the board with uh Mr. Freda, Mr. Monaco, um the chair of the board of finance. Uh and in the end through our discussions, you know, we were able to meet at a place where I think we can succeed and I think a place where we didn't originally think we may be able to get to. Anybody who was at the meeting the other night saw that uh they were gracious enough to give us an extra $500,000 to to make this thing work the best way possible. And I would just like to uh say to them, thank you very much for that consideration. Uh that is something that does not normally happen. Those meetings are usually um
029already decided upon from prior meetings and that is just a matter of motion uh in most cases. But as we were able to have discussions and move forward, uh, we were able to get an extra 500,000 and I know the police and fire also were able to get some extra, uh, mechanisms into their budget. So, I'm I'm happy for that as well. U, it's like anything else, you know, if whatever you get, you you always want more. I'm sure the town wanted less. So in my mind that's a successful negotiation because not everybody got what they wanted but everybody can function and and move forward with that. We have to prepare for the possibility that the referendum does not pass. If the referendum does not pass, then obviously that money uh the monies that were
030agreed upon the other day are shifted away and then we have to reassess how we move forward. And because of that, we need to by statute read off the non-tenure teachers who are um subject to layoff. and we have to read it now even though we don't we're not sure that anybody is getting laid off. So this is not a scare tactic. This is not believe me this is not something anybody wants to do. If you if anybody thinks I was I got up early today thinking today's the day I get to read all those names. You're you're you're incredibly mistaken. This is a a miserable set of circumstances that we have to deal with. The reason that the names are read is in case the budget does not pass and we have to readjust.
031We don't know even at that point who or how many may be laid off. But you are subject to read all the names of the people that are available. So I just want that understanding uh out there. The thing I would like to say to these teachers um of the names I'm about to read is we appreciate everything you do and the way you care for the kids and the way you take your uh career so professionally and and work towards a better environment for everyone and it does not go unnoticed. And again, this is a matter of course, not a matter of want that we that I have to read these names off. So with that, I'm going to read off these names. I believe there are 52. And again, I don't want this
032seen as a scare tactic. Oh, you know, Chairman B read off 52 names just so we can get everybody scared and make sure they, you know, that's not the case at all. And I want to make sure that everybody understands that is not the case. >> With that, I'm gonna read off these names. >> I'm sorry. >> Oh, >> I'm sorry. Wanted like to share some other >> I just wanted to share No, you're right. >> Tomorrow Christian Anthony and myself and Christ if she so desires. Um we will go and meet at all six schools with all of the teachers impacted by this. Um, we did the same thing last year and explain the process and just make sure that they know how valued they are and how much they mean to us. And
033hopefully um the day after the referendum um we will be back and with bells on and resend this letter and give them a letter renewing their contract for next year. So that is our plan for tomorrow and our plan for May 20. >> Thank you. And I apologize ahead of time if I butcher anybody's name here. Au uh all right the names are as follows. Daria Aguana parto. It's part of Mayo now. So sorry. Um, James Benjioani, James Bodington, Colleen Rumlevy, Emily Cabal, Jennifer Kandle, Lauren Shaza, Kristen Daly, Brittany Defrus, Stephanie Deluchia, Michelle Deluchia, Macy D, Carlo, Grace Donovan, Michael Farret, Lauren Gothier, Richie Gold, Melissa Grego, Carolyn Hanley, Avery Hill, Monica Jerine, Emily Jerney, Anam Khan, Kate Kylie, Andrew Laduko, Haley Langan, Christine Lano, Jordan Lynch, James Manzo, James Macaloney, Alexis Mcdana, Rachel Mayor,
034Janice Mera Keenan, Susan Mitchell, Cara Moore, Joshua Mazicado, Gabriel Moshinski, Christina Pops, Marissa Rsino, Minguin Ren, Jessica Romanelloo, Melanie Socks, Michael Severino, Athena Singh, Cheryl Studley, Mangu Sunquist, Marilyn Terassic, Alicia Feed, Gabriel Thompson, Rachel Tyrell, Gina Zamataro, an Alexis Zattoi. Just double check. Move that the contract of employment of the red names not be renewed for the following year due to budgetary reason upon its expiration at the end of the 2526 school year. and that the superintendent of schools is directed to advise such persons in writing of this action. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Um I'm with Ron on this one where this is like my least favorite meeting of the year. >> Um it feels terrible to to have to listen to the names of these teachers who
035make a difference in the lives of our kids every day. being put in this situation. And if we didn't have to do this by state statute, I don't I don't I can't speak for everybody on the board, but I highly doubt we would be doing this. >> Oh, no. We'd never do it. >> Yeah. >> Um once again, like I just think this whole process, it it feels like it's not one that allows for the dignity that has been earned by our teachers every day. These folks helped us get to a blue ribbon school, helped us get to several schools of distinction. They helped us outperform our peers from a scores perspective within our DUI, and they help us keep costs at a reasonable level. I want to say thank you to all of them.
036Several of them have had direct impacts on my kids personally, but it's not just about my kids. It's about all of our kids. And I really appreciate these people, and I'm so sorry. >> Anybody else? I'm sure we all agree word for word that last. >> All in favor? >> I. >> So move. >> Okay. I have a motion to add an action item concerning the removal of the 181st day of the 20252026 school year. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> What is this? >> We're moving your first day. >> Oh, I I that thing is so loud. I It's >> Any discussion? >> No. [laughter] >> Okay. All right. I get it. >> Sorry about that. All in favor? >> I >> So move. >> So that makes the
037last day of school. >> May I have a motion to remove the 181st day of the 2025 2026 school year? So move. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> I. >> So moved. So that puts the last day of school at the seventh, >> Wednesday, Wednesday, June 17th. >> With graduation being >> Tuesday, June 16th. >> So graduation day will be June 16th. Last day of school June 17th. We're going to do reports from standing committees. Uh Marty, you have anything for ACES? >> Um yeah, uh ACES uh has been discussing and many people know they're in the process of selling some of their buildings and real estate. Um and that was pretty much most of the last meeting. Um the only other major thing that went on is they did name
038a new director. His name is Dr. William Rice. Uh he is a current uh employee of ACES. Um and uh we're we're looking forward to having a good year with him. >> Excellent. >> Any questions for Marty? Curriculum, instruction, and planning. >> We did not meet. >> Any questions? [laughter] >> Finance and operations. >> Yeah, thank you. We uh met earlier tonight and I I want to just start by echoing Ron in acknowledging and thanking our partners on the board of finance for their continued engagement throughout this process and their very hard work. Uh last night they voted to restore $500,000 to the BOE budget request and I am personally very grateful for their nearly unanimous support. uh our superintendent spoke and said that people could come and get some clarification on a few things
039that were stated and I'd like to just run quickly run through a very partial list. Um uh there was a statement that we had a buffer of 10 additional paras in the current operating budget. I wish we did. We do not. Um that likely refers to the registered behavioral technicians or RBTs which are funded through a grant this year. And these grant-f funed positions actually resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings to the district that should not be interpreted as excess staffing capacity within the operating budget. Um there was also some discussion about administrative positions. I do just want to clarify that um we do have an administrative position that has not yet been filled that was recently vacated and then we had an assistant principal um position vacated last year and funding
040for that position was reallocated to support special education services. Um I also just want to spend a quick minute on what the definition of a surplus is because that word has been thrown around quite a bit. Uh, a true surplus occurs when all obligations have been fully met and funds remain. I want to just assure everyone in North Haven that that has not been the case within the board of education for quite some time. Um, our like unspent funds do not account for the significant backlog of capital projects um and underfunded insurance reserves. So when all of our obligations are considered, it's really clear that the district has not experienced a true surplus in a long time. Um there was also just a comment made that the the board of ed uh unanimously voted for
041a 6.3% increase. I just this is very similar to the vote we just took on the teachers. Um these are things that have to get done and it would be bad faith if we did not vote uh for them. the decision that we made at our last meeting. I feel and I feel very proud of this board for acting in good faith. Um, and I think that everyone up here expressed some clear dissatisfaction with the initial proposed funding level and we are I think everybody is very grateful for the additional funding that came. Um, rather than rejecting a mandated figure, we engaged in thoughtful discussion, clearly articulated the impact of the reductions, and submitted a formal request to our partners on the board of finance to restore the $500,000. And once again, truly appreciate them
042for coming to the table on that. Uh, workers compensation, uh, just a quick note about that. It's currently projected to end the year with about $35,000 remaining in that fund. uh the proposed budget in 2026 2027 does not rebuild this reserve account unfortunately. It does continue to leave uh very little margin for variability. So overall um I I just want to say that the the budget that we sent forward does reflect difficult trade-offs that have um that have been made through a continued effort to operate within constrained resources while maintaining our essential services. Um, we're committed to transparency over here and responsible decision-making and continued advocacy for sustainable funding. And I want to again thank our partners on the board of finance for coming to the table. As this process moves forward, community input will
043play a critical role. I encourage residents to stay engaged, to attend the upcoming meetings, and to make their voices heard as these decisions are finalized. That's it. Thank you. Um just for a point of clarification, Amanda, if you don't mind, we talked a little bit about um the the mention last night about the parah educators. Um the the the grant paid for the training of the RBTs, not their actual salaries. So I just wanted to clarify that. >> Thank you, Randy. Yeah, good point. >> Sure. >> Anybody else have anything like that? >> North Davian Education Foundation. Unfortunately, Mr. Sturk was unable to attend this month's meeting >> policy approval of um 1400 non-discrimination. May I have a motion to approve policy 1400 non-discrimination community board operations? >> I'll make a motion. >> Second discussion.
044>> All in favor? So move. May I have a motion to approve policy 4118.113 slash 4218.113 non-discrimination personnel? >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All in favor? [clears throat] >> May I have a motion to approve policy family and medical leave personnel? >> I'll make a motion. Second. Second. Discussion. All in favor? >> I. >> So move. >> May I have a motion to approve policy 5145.4 non-discrimination students? >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> All in favor? >> I. >> So move. May I have a motion to approve the 2026 2027 district calendar as proposed? >> I'll make a motion. second. >> Any discussion? >> Yeah. Um [clears throat] I don't know if it's proper at this point, but it seems to go in line with
045this. So, the only thing that I would say is one of my favorite things about being on a board like this is when the community gets engaged and can come and speak. And this community has been very engaged and has spoken quite a bit. But what I would like to see happen is I would like the board to adopt some sort of policy that makes it clear to any group in town um what needs to be done to petition for a day off whether it be a holiday or whatever the reason. I don't I don't think we have anything that speaks that right now. And I think that would make it easier or make it harder. I I don't know. I I think it would clarify >> yeah make it easier but I that's that's
046a good way to put it. It would clarify what needs to be done if a group is interested. So that's my only two cents on this. >> We can put that on the calendar. [laughter] >> What was the calendar? >> I think that's you. >> Yeah, that's you. So yeah, that's that's a good idea. we can uh get something together over the next little bit and [snorts] present it and you know have a conversation about it and enact it. >> Thank you. >> No problem. Any other discussion? >> I just want to point out a quick typo. Um on the staff development days in the yellow it [snorts] says January 5th when it's really January 15th. Um I know not everybody looks at the calendar. Some people only use that list. So I just wanted
047to make sure they don't get their days mixed up. >> Where is it? >> Oh calendar open. I'm or it's listed. >> Thank you. >> Who typed that? >> Good. I >> in me. I can't help. >> Thanks for catching that. Any other discussion? >> I'd also like to suggest I've said this before in years past um that we think about holding school on Veterans Day. >> Yeah. >> Um there are a lot of it's not a mandated day where we have to close. There are a lot of districts that do hold school on Veterans Day to actually teach our students the significance of why we recognize Veterans Day. And um I know that a lot of families struggle with when we have days off, whether it's their work schedule [snorts] or whatever it is.
048And I don't know, I think that there's a a lot to say for holding school on a day like that. So just for future consideration and if I may, I just want to thank all the kids who came and spoke to us about um about what was important to them. I'm so impressed. >> Good speakers. >> They were excellent. super sharp and I think it's just an excellent example of um great schools and a great community. [applause] >> Any other discussion? All in favor? >> I so move. >> I'm not. >> I'm sorry. Oppos. >> I'm a no. >> I'm sorry. You're opposed. One opposed. Okay, that's fine. Thank you. Um, assistant superintendent report. >> I have covered everything already. Thank you. >> Yeah. Right. Director of student services report. >> Great. Thank you so
049much. Good evening everyone. I just have one quick update this evening. As I shared last month, just a friendly reminder, we'll be hosting our second annual special education community resource fair on April 29th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at North Haven High School in the gym. We have over 35 vendors that will be in attendance ranging from state agencies, community organizations, local universities. Information ranges from post-secondary programs to mental health community access, transition transportation access, inclusive sports opportunities, ABA programs, and higher level educational opportunities. Please don't miss this opportunity. And a big shout out and thank you again to Laura De Santo for creating this event. >> We just need lots of families to come and enjoy [snorts] this wonderful opportunity. So, if you're able to do so, please stop by. >> And that is
050all I have this evening. Thank you. >> Any questions for Anthony? >> Any um last time you made an announcement, there were schools missing. Any change? >> There were no community colleges that were able to attend that evening, which is >> okay. >> We were bummed about, but we're going to continue to reach out to them and provide those resources to any students and make those direct connections as needed. Okay. >> We help. >> Thank you. Let's do that. >> Chief operating officers report. >> Uh, good evening everyone. Um, I apologize I didn't get to skip around like Melinda. [clears throat] So, [laughter] >> but I'll try and be brief. Um, current operating we continue to move forward in a budgetary freeze. Our projections right now are looking uh solid that we will make the
051end of the year expenses, but we will maintain that budgetary freeze through the end of the year. But one thing I did like I do want to point out that's on the grant report as well is during the month of March, North Haven public schools received notification regarding our aotment for the district repair and improvement or otherwise known as drip grant. The district was informed that we were to expect $144,081. And so these funds are to be utilized to address unanticipated expenses in our operating budget for emergency building facility maintenance that we have already or most recently incurred this year. I think while 144,000 sounds like a lot of money to give you perspective that was either already earmarked or moved forward for expenses within about 30 minutes of receiving that grant. Um, the good
052news is it's going to replace things such as um our HVAC repair at the middle uh middle school. Some of our uh repairs, excuse me, on some of our water pumps and our boilers. As you may have noticed, the lighting in the uh high school auditorium looks much better. So, that was a nice project that we were able to get done there. We were able to shift expenses for the basketball gym refinishes on the high school and Green Acres as well as the chiller repair over at the high school. So, uh that amount has basically all been spent, but it does leave a little bit of weight off the operating budget expenses for this year. In your report, you did receive where our our reserve accounts stand. Currently, our medical and dental reserve accounts stands
053at just over 1.6 6 million and our workers compensation at 147 uh $37,000, excuse me, in cash reserve funds. Regards to transportation, you did see DACO's transportation report attached to your uh monthly report. You would have also noticed on March 30th that we sent out a communication to our community that the bus patrol program has gone fully live and started with actual paid citations beginning this past Monday. We also sent out uh links to uh that's both on the town's website as well as ours with a lot of visuals and important videos if anyone needs to refamiliarize themselves with appropriate laws in regards to not passing the bus when the stop arm is out. Please note that it is a $250 fine that any citizen would receive if they are found in violation. As Chairman
054Baick said last month, we want to really stress that we do not handle the citations. There's information should you receive a citation either on that actual ticket or the website on how to pay that. We are the the really the liaison between DATCO and bus patrol in the town. However, it is a strong safety enhancement for our students. So we are proud to be part of this program >> and the money that that is received based on these fe based on the tickets goes to the >> town >> goes to the town >> that thank you >> not a revenue generating source for us >> right thank you >> uh to the board chair I do have to apologize it's that time of year where we get the mouthful of the healthy food certification motion
055apologize >> thank you for that >> um but just as a reminder this time each [clears throat] year the healthy Food certification statute requires each local board of education or governing authority for public schools participating in the national school lunch program which we do must certify all food items sold to students separately from reimburseable meals will meet the Connecticut nutrition standards. And additionally if should we choose which I am advising we do we would also make that same certification for the beverage certification as well. Finally this evening um a generous supporter of the school is once again uh offering a generous grant. Mr. Thomas or Tim Wingardner, Mr. Wingardner is once again offering a donation of $1,000 to make sure that it is utilized under uh Miss Gadarno and Mr. Lipig in supporting New North
056Haven High School's theater spring plays. So he has offered another thousand dollars. Just a reminder, uh, he did this last year as well and he is a generous supporter of the program and we are most grateful for that. [clears throat and cough] >> Okay, you ready? Bear with me here. There's a lot of reading going on. May I have a motion to approve the healthy food option for the 2026 2027 school year as stated pursuant to Connecticut General Statute Section 1021 [snorts] 5F. The North Haven Board of Education certifies that all food items offered for sale to students in the school under its jurisdiction and not exempted from Connecticut nutrition standards published by the Connecticut State Department of Education will comply with the Connecticut Nutrition Standards during the periods of July 1st, 2026 through June
05730th, 2027. This certification shall include all food offered for sale to students separately from reimburseable meals at all times from all sources, including but not limited to school stores, vending machines, school cafeterias, culinary programs, and any fundraising activities on school premises sponsored by the school or non-school organization and groups. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I opposed. So [clears throat] moved. >> May I have a motion to approve the beverage exemptions for the 2026 2027 school year as stated? The North Haven Board of Education will allow the sale to students of food items that do not meet the Connecticut nutrition standards and beverages not listed in section 10-221Q of the Connecticut General Statutes, provided that the following conditions are met. The sale is in connection with the
058event occurring at the after the end of the regular school day or on the weekend. The sale is at a location of the event and the food items are not sold from a vending machine or school store. An event is an occurrence that involves more than just a regularly scheduled practice meeting or extracurricular activity. For example, soccer games, school plays, and intercolastic debates are events. But soccer practices, play rehearsals, and debate team meetings are not. The regular school day is the period from midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day. Location means where the event is being held and must be the same place as the food sales. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Again, so move. May I have
059a motion to approve the monthly financial report including the recommended transfers? >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> I so move. >> May I have a motion to approve the donation of $1,000 to Mr. Thomas Windinger to support the North David High School spring play? Motion. >> So move. >> Second. >> Discussion. Can I honestly just I just want to send a thank you out to him again. I know I did this last year. >> I um I wanted to thank him for more than just this donation. He is one of um you know the theater parents behind the scenes. I work closely with him and so many other dedicated parents behind the scenes and I could personally attest to the countless hours and effort that he
060has also put into helping build with these students these amazing sets that I swear are like Broadway quality. like they are so good and uh so not only do I want to thank him for donation but also for his uh time and efforts for the countless years that he's put in so far. Yeah. >> And hopefully many future years. I know we I know we all agree with that. All in favor? >> Any opposed? So moved. >> We're going to move on to the public comment session. Uh this session is reserved for agenda related items only. Uh does anybody have anything they like to say? >> [snorts] >> You know what? Let it doesn't matter. Come on up, young man. Go first. >> Hello. Yes, my name is Selia. I'm a ninth grade uh here
061at the high school. I've spoken here before. Um I first have like to thank every member of the board of education for allowing me and everyone here the opportunity to speak regarding adding Eid as a day um in 226 2027 calendar. So thank you. And I also like to clarify whether or not Eid is going to be um in the 2026 22 27 calendar as a day off and as a day of celebration. Um I would like to clarify that question. >> Yeah. >> All right. Sounds good. Thank you. You uh [applause] play basketball for the school? >> I play varsity soccer. >> Get this kid the basketball coaching [laughter] right away. [applause] He's a good soccer player. He's really >> Anybody else like to meet you? >> Yeah. I I don't think I could
062go to meetings now and not speak. I think it's [laughter] >> I'm not shouting at our meetings though, so I guess that's a good thing. Um, Christa Kaplan, 14 Governor's Drive. I just wanted to take a moment to first sincerely thank the board of education for your continued support of our students, our schools, and our teachers throughout this entire process. Your thoughtful comments, the work you've put in, and the challenges you've navigated have not gone unnoticed by the teachers. Um, we rec recognize the complexity of the decisions before you and we appreciate your commitment to advocating for what our students and our educators need to succeed. Um, we also would like to take a moment to encourage all members of our community, especially our parents to continue to stay involved and informed and engaged throughout
063this process, especially as we head towards the referendum. Um we encourage everyone to continue their participation and make sure that you encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to go out and vote um at the referendum. Um in addition, I just did have a couple of questions. I don't know if you have answers or not. >> Um have we received a number from Mr. Fida or the board of finance at this time? Um should the referendum fail, what level of reduction we would say? >> Negative. >> Not yet. Okay. Um, do we have a timeline possibly for a failed referendum and would that kind of coincide with the last day of school? >> Well, the the the referendum comes with the the vote, the town vote. >> Yeah, I know. >> And as soon as that
064>> if the vote does not pass, it'll be an immediate moving forward of trying to determine [clears throat] through the board of finance what the number >> Do you remember what that timeline looks like between the first referendum and and the second? Is that a month? >> I feel like it was close to like 2 to 3 months. >> It was like trying to get the ballots ready. I'm not sure the town handles outside of >> It's less than a month. >> Okay. That's what I was trying to to pace it out to see how it would impact like the end of the school. >> I would say two to four weeks. I That's what I would say. >> Okay. >> Um I just had a question. Since the DACO buses were brought up, um
065the expenses for field trips have gone through the roof since we've switched to Dco. And I don't know if the board's aware of that piece. Um they've doubled like doubled the field trip bus costs um to a point where it's hard to even take the kids on field trips um because of those costs. So for example, every year we take the eighth grade um to Lake Compounds. Uh it's their big end of year, end of eighth grade, end of middle school kind of celebration. Um and the buses last year were $2,200 and this year they're $4,500. So, it's really been it's difficult to to kind of host field trips with that cost level because now we're not just asking the the families to pay for the the cost to get into Lake Compounds, which is
066a reduced rate because it's an education day. Um, but also the cost of the buses um which make the trip like this year the trip is $48 per student. Um, and we we have been raising funds to kind of help. The PT at the middle school has been great and they've kind of cut our bus costs in half. um but without fundraising. I don't know if as we move forward with Datco if it's something we can discuss with them. Um especially for local trips because even the Monoise Elementary School had a couple of trips and even the bus just to go from Monoise to Quinnipiac was like $600. Um so that was like a quick trip. So we're just trying uh just wanted to make the board aware that the the buses for those trips
067are getting almost unattainable for us. Yeah, the bus the bus contract was an exhausting exercise to go through and it was the prices were um more than we thought they would be. So even though like I know you said it was 2200 last year, twice that this year, the low number from last year was not the low number this year. >> Yeah, I understand that. if regardless I I understand your plight because it's all of our plight uh even for the regular school day to pay for the buses back and forth. But the short answer is yes. We can always talk to that though and try to resolve some >> something. Thank you. I appreciate that. And I shed one final uh comment and question. Um thank you for the 181st day give back. I
068think everybody u appreciates that piece. Um, and I just wanted to ask the board to consider at the next meeting um, the possibility of the removal of the half-day PD from staff on May 22nd. I know this is something we've done in the past. Um, this year, especially with the budget, it's been a very arduous spring for a lot of staff members. Um, and that half day is ahead of Memorial Day weekend where a lot of people spend time with families and travel. Um, and if staff would be allowed to leave alongside their students or after students leave, um, I think that would be a special thank you for our staff. So, I just want to consider possibly at the next meeting. >> I'm sorry, what day was that again? >> It's May 22nd. >>
069It's right before Memorial Day weekend. >> We'll take it up to the next meeting. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Hello, Super Venu again. First of all, I want to say Ron, I'm sorry you had to read those names. I know you had to by law. Yeah. >> But I really hope that May 20th all those teachers >> get the good news. >> Okay. It's going to be a long five weeks for him, but at least it was done. >> And as regard to the bus violation thing, WTNH actually had it on the news that it's going into effect and I was very happy to see that. I think the $250 violation fee for one first offense is good. I sure hope that they increase it per each offense like they would if you were
070a drunk driver. >> I think they increase it to severity, too. Is that correct? >> So, with the bus patrol program, it's just 250 per violation because it's an AI camera. If you get caught by actual law enforcement, it's it's more. It's over 500 if you're actually and if you're caught by actual law enforcement. Okay, that's that's that's right because if you're caught by an actual police officer, >> the driver >> is getting fined as probably as well as the car owner. But that's what I was going to say, you know, like >> I guess that's something to bring up with the police department as far as impounding the car third time, you know, because you got to stop it, you know. I mean, a drunk driver gets away with it, these people shouldn't be
071doing. They're going to kill our kids. Okay. And the other thing um because that probationary period over 300 cars >> right >> in that lousy little I mean was it 30 days they had probationary that's horrible >> hundreds of violations >> that's horrible okay and speaking on that bus price now I hope everybody remembers that the bus drivers now are getting paid a lot more because you were losing school bus drivers plus their insurance has skyrocketed because of all of the accidents. Just saying. I mean, that's just like >> there's a lot of considerations. All of us deal with that, but that's >> everybody's dealing with it, right? >> Okay. All right. Well, thank you for what you do. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. Anybody else? >> Christina Warden, six round. I was hiding
072in the corner. Sorry. [laughter] >> I didn't either. >> I just wanted to know if you guys can tell us when the first day of school is. >> The 31st. That's what I was thinking, but I just wanted to confirm. and April break this uh next year. >> April 12th, >> the 16th. >> It's connected to Good Friday. >> Okay. And um I will echo on the the field trips. I was here at the first board of ed meeting. Um they the bus company acted like they wanted to talk to me and and and help us with the costs for the PTA, but nobody returned my phone calls or my emails after the first handshake he did um when I was here. >> Okay. I I would say this. if you have uh some conversation
073and you have that person you converse with uh let someone here know. >> Okay. Definitely I'll talk to you. Yeah. >> Look forward with that. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I have to correct myself. It was not connected to Good Friday. It's the day that I saw Good Friday is actually in March. Okay. >> Our spring break is in April connected to Easter. >> Sorry about that. Yep. Sorry. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> So, hi uh Tim Gabriel Renee Lane. Uh, thank you everybody on the board for all that you've done to get the um the budget to a a place where it's uh ready to be uh voted on. I think that we can all agree on. Uh we talked a lot about the referendum, but I didn't
074hear the date. So, I just wanted to say for the cameras that the referendum will be on May 19th. Uh all voting is usually in this place here at the rec center. Uh it's not at your usual polling places if you don't usually vote at the rec center. So, make sure that everybody gets out, vote, and support this budget so that we don't have to come back and have some of these terrible conversations again. Um, it's really important that everybody uh goes. The reason that they have it in one location is because usually turnout is pretty low. So, let's get turnout to be high and uh everybody come out and vote. >> Thank you. This is the one and only location. >> 100% correct. [clears throat] >> Um, Alex Johnson, Fallon Drive. Uh before I
075have I have a question. Um but before even that, I just want to give one more round of applause to all the student organizers. I I've never been so proud of my community and if they keep continuing fighting as hard as they do for our community, our country and our community is in a much safer place and a better place. So I just want to give them another round of applause if we could. [applause] I just had a quick question for the extra $500,000 that were given to board of ed when and if I stepped out I'm sorry those chairs were hurting my back and I missed it. Um when will we decide where that exactly amounts to cuz I'm so excited to hear about it. I'm this is all enthusiastic positive. I promise I'm
076just excited to hear back. >> Uh the superintendent and his staff are going through that right now. >> Okay. um you know because we just got that approval tenative approval yesterday. Um so there are many options that we have to go he's got to go through that and then if it doesn't happen so there's a lot there's a lot of mechanics to it but >> those answers will be coming up. >> Okay. All great things. I'm just excited. It's like a wonderful happy thing and I can't wait >> happy about it. >> Um >> but it has to pass first. Correct. >> Agreed. So please go vote for it. Um, and then also this is a slight request. I I uh requested this at the board of selectman meeting. I know we don't have a
077million equipment and I know we can't control I'm going to call it the blower thingy. I don't remember what you called it, Ron. But just even not just even here, just any official town meetings if we could have some more microphones. We do have people with hearing difficulties. We do have people who are neurode divergent where if you have like ADHD like me, you hear sound, but if there's a lot of noise going on or there's a big echo, it's hard to make up what people are hearing. So, if we could have microphones so we can hear people more clearly, that would really be greatly appreciated if it's a possibility. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else? Yeah, >> good evening everyone. Um, Kashad Kavaji from Maple Avenue North Haven. On the behalf of the Muslim
078community in of North Haven, I just wanted to thank you everyone. Thank you so much for your patience, for all the great discussions that we've been having uh for the past 10 11 months. Uh it's been a great great great experience and great time that I've had with all the kids and all the families here. Um I apologize for the kids who actually were prepared uh for their speeches that were supposed to be uh before the calendar discussion I mean the calendar uh yeah the voting but I apologize for them. I told them to wait until the end. So that's my mistake. U but thank you so much for coming all the families and the children. Thank you for your time and uh we are we are so happy to be in North Haven um
079as um as our with our families. So this is a great town and we're going to make this town even better and stronger with all our kids and families. Thank you so much >> for all your hard work. Thank you. [applause] Although they didn't they didn't get to speak tonight, they they've done a great job over the last six, seven months, speaking every month about um their desire for the holiday. So, we we appreciate that. Is there anybody else? [snorts] Seeing none, may I have a motion to adjourn the April 16th, 2026 regular meeting of the board of education? >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> So move. Thank you. The preceding program is brought to you in part through a grant from the town of North Haven. Watch town meetings or other
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